Motor operated control mechanism



June 6, 1939. c G KRONMLLER 2,161,258

MOTOR OPERATED CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 20, 1934 gnwntoc Carl C. Kronmiller 25 air damper, such, for

40 nected to a first control Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTOR OPERATED CONTROL MECHANISM Carl G. Kron'miller,

Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, aware Minn., a corporation of Del- Application December 20, 1934, Serial No. 758,415

4 Claims.

the provision of apparatus including a single m0- tor which is connected to a first control device positively to operate the same in reverse directions upon reverse movements of the motor and is connected to a second control device through a one-way connection whereby the motor and first control device are enabled to move to a given position even though the second control device fails to move to a corresponding position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus including a motor means that is connected to a first control device positively to operate the same, and providing an operator for a second or auxiliary control device which has a portion lying in the path of movement of the motor means when moving in only one direction whereby the second or auxiliary control device is positively operated in only one direction.

The present invention has particular, utility'in connection with the control of a fuel valve and instance, as a gas valve and well known associated secondary air damper which should be opened when the gas valve is opened. This is especially true wherein the motor means takes the form of a pressure motor having a single movable wall.

Another object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a control mechanism by which a pressure motor having a single movable wall positively operates a first control device, such as a valve, in both directions and positively operates a second control device, such as a secondary air damper, in only one direction.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a pressure motor means that is condevice positively to operate the same in both directions and, upon movement inone direction only, is adapted to engage an operator for a second control device whereby the second control device is positively 45 operated in only one direction and does not interfere with movement of the motor means in the other direction.

Other objects include the automatic and manual provision of improved control means for -a pres- 50 'sure motor and the various combinations and sub-combinations disclosed in the drawing and described hereinafter, as well as those specifically pointed out in the claims.

For a further understanding of the invention,

. reference may be had to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the pressure motor assembly and the control valve mechanism therefor;

Fig. 2 is a detail of certain motor shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a showing of my novel control mechanism shown applied to a gas-fired heater and controlled by a conventional room thermostat.

As to certain phases of the present invention, the type of motor mechanism utilized is not important but for the purpose of illustrating other parts of the pressure phases of the invention I have herein disclosed a pressure motor which is generally indicated at I0. This pressure motor comprises a lower easting I I and an upper casting l2, forming upper and lower casing members between which is secured a flexible diaphragm l3 by clamping the lower and upper castings H and I2 together through suitable means indicated at l4. The lower and upper castings Il and I2 and the diaphragm l3 thereby form two pressure chambers l5 and I6.

The lower casting H is provided with a circular centrally located opening H. A mounting bracket l8, having a flange I9, is secured to the underside of the lower casting H by means of screws 20. This mounting bracket I8 is provided with a circular horizontally disposed portion 2| to which a circular metallic disc 22 is secured as by rivets 23. A valve casing 24, provided with the usual inlet opening 25 and outlet opening 26 which are separated by a partition wall 21, is suitably secured to the disc 22 as will hereinafter appear. The valve casing 24 is provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical extension 28 that is provided with external screw threads which cooperate with the screw threads of a collar 29 that is provided with a flange 30 which partially overlies the disc 22. By this arrangement, the cylindrical extension 28 of valve casing 24 is firmly clamped against the disc 22 whereby the valve casing 24 is secured to the lower casting H in a fluid tight manner.

The partition wall 21 of the valve casing 24 is provided with a valve opening 42 that forms a valve seat 43. A valve disc 44 is adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 43 to permit or prevent the passage of fluid from the inlet 25 to the outlet 26. This valve disc 44 is .carried by and secured to a valve stem 46 which extends upwardly through a valve stem guiding member 41 that passes through the circular disc 22 and circular portion 2| of bracket l8 and is suitably se cured thereto. A pair of counter-weights 49 and 50 are disposed on opposite sides of diaphragm l3 mature 11.

and securely clamped thereto by means of rivets 5|. The valve stem 46 is provided with a terminal threaded portion 52 which extends throughthe counter-weights 49 and 58 and diaphragm l3. A pair of nuts 53 and 54 cooperate with this terminally screw-threaded portion 52 of valve stem 46 to securely attach the. valve stem 46 to the counter-weights 49 and 50 and. the diaphragm B. In this manner, reverse movements of the diaphragm |3 result in raising the valve disc 44 away from and lowering the same into engagement with the valve seat 43. The counter-weights 49 and 50 bias the diaphragm I3 or-tend to move the same towards valve closed position.

The pressures in chambers l5 and I6 may be controlled in any desired manner so as to impart the desired movements to diaphragm l3 and are herein shown as .controlled by an electrically operated control valve generally indicated at 55.,

The control valve 55 includes a control valve casting 56 that is suitably secured to the upper casting I2, there preferably being a sealing gasket 51 interposed between the control valve casting 56 and the upper casting |2. This casting 56 is provided with a control chamber 58 which communicates with the chamber l5 by means of passages- 59 and 60 that are formed in the lower and upper castings II and I2. The control chamber 58 further communicates with the upper chamber |6 by means of passages 6| and 62 which are respectively formed in the control valve casting 56 and the upper casting |2. The passage 6| may be manually closed ofl by means of a manually operable needle valve 63 for a purpose which will become apparent hereinafter. The passage 6| further communicates with a restricted passage 64 that is formed in the control valve casting 56 and extends to an exterior wall of the same.

A valve head 65 is located in the control chamber 58 and is adapted normally to assume the position shown wherein the control chamber 58 and the passage 6| are in communication. However, when the valve head 65 is raised, it cooperates with a valve seat 66 formed by the passage 6| and the control chamber 58 so as to interrupt communication between the passage 6| and the control chamber 58L The valve head 65 is secured to a valve stem 61 which extends upwardly through'the control valve casting 56 and terminates th'ereabove. v

The valve stem 61 iscontrolled by an electromagnetic controlling mechanism which will now be described. The control valve casting 56 is provided with an upwardly extending annular portion 10 that is externally screw-threaded and upon which a casting 1| is screw-threaded. This casting 1| supports a' circular spring washer 12 that is held in place by means of a circular spring clip 13.8, The casting 1| further supports an upwardly extending non-magnetic tubular member 14, the upper end of which is closed by means of a non-magnetic plug 15 having a magnetic screw 16 extending therethrough. Located in this tubular member 14 is an armature 11 that is provided with an internal bore that screw-threadedly receives a'plug 18. The valve stem 61 extendsend of the valve stem 61 and a coiled spring 88 is interposed'be'tween the collar 19 and plug 18 whereby the collar 18 is normally held in engagement with the plunger 11. A pair ofmagnetic steeLdiscs 8| and Marc placed upon the tubular member 14 and an electromagnetic coil 83 is 10- phragm A collar 19 is, secured to the upper cated therebetween. A cylindrical housing member 84 surrounds the discs 8| and 82 and electromagnetic -coil- 83 and is firmly clamped against the casting 1| by means of a casting 85 which is held in place by a nut 86 that cooperates with the terminal portion of screw 16; A coiled spring 88 is interposed between casting 85 and the upper disc 82 to firmly hold the discs 8| and 82 and the electromagnetic coil 83 against the casting 1|. The electromagnetic coil 83 is provided with electrical lead wires 81. For further details of the structure of this electromagnetic operator for the valve stem 61, reference may be had tothe copending application of Willis H. Gille, Serial No. 740,547, filed August 20, 1934.

The inlet opening 25-is adapted to be connected to a source of fluid and this fluid is arranged to communicate with the chamber l5 at all times through any suitable means. This is accomplished in the present embodiment of the invention by providing an opening 88 through the circular disc '22 and the circular portion 2|v of the bracket l8. With the parts in the position shown, this pressure is transmitted to chamber I6 by means of passages 59 and 68, control chamber 58 and passages 6| and 62. The pressure in chamber I6 is relieved slightly because of the restricted passage 64 which connects to passages 6| and 62, but the pressures in chambers l5 and I6 are substantially equal. The diaphragm |3 therefore assumes the position shown in' the drawing by reason of counter-weights 49. and 50 and the weight of valve stem 46 and valve disc 44, the weight of these parts being sufllcient to overcome the slightly higher pressure in chamber l5. The valve disc 44 is therefore in engagement with the valve seat 43 and prevents the flow of fluid from the inlet 25 to the outlet 26. If the valve stem 61 now be raised so as to bring valve head 65 into engagement with the valve seat 66, therebyinterrupting communication between the control chamber 58 and the passage 6|, the fluid can no longer pass from chamber l5v into the chamber l6. Fluid will then bleed from the chamber l6 so that the pressure in chamber I6 is exhausted or materially reduced below the pressure in chamber |5. This difference in pressure acts upon the underside of diaphragm I3 and lifts the same upwardly to move the valve disc 44 from -engagement with valve seat 43. Fluid is thereby in the drawing, the pressures 'in chambers i5 and I6 are again substantially equalized. The dia- |3 therefore -moves downwardly under the influence of counter-weights 49 and 50 and the weight of valve stem 46 and valve disc 44 whereby the valve disc 44 again engages the valve seat 43 to interrupt communication through the valve opening 42. The manually operable needle valve 63 may be utilized to close ofi the passage 6| so as to move the valve disc 44 away from the valve seat 43 even though the valve head 65 be in the position shown in the drawing as the result of a failure of electrical power or the like.

It is often desired to operate an auxiliary device by the same motor mechanism that operates the main controlling valve. To accomplish this result, the present invention includes auxiliary operating mechanism that includes a shaft 9| which extends through a bushing 89 threaded into the upper casting l2, the outer end of shaft.

9| terminating exteriorly of casting |2 while the other end terminates within the chamber I6.

The shaft 9| is provided with an enlarged portion 92 and a conically shaped portion 93 which joins the enlarged portion 92 and the main portion of shaft 9|. This conical portion 93 is pressed into engagement with a suitably counter-bored portion of the bushing 89 by means of a coiled spring 94. In this manner, a fluid tight joint is provided while permitting of rotation of the shaft 9|. Oneend of the-spring 94 abuts the casting I2 which may be provided with a hole 95 for receiving this end of the spring. The other end of spring 94 surrounds the terminal portion of shaft 9| and abuts a lever 96 which is secured to shaft 9| by means of a set screw 91. This lever 96 terminates substantially in the center of chamber I6 and is pivoted to a bracket 91A that is secured to a counter-weight 98. The underside of counter-weight 98 preferably carries'a cup-shaped stop member 99 to limit the downward movement of counter-weight 98 and therefore limit the counter-clockwise rotative movement of the lever 96 and shaft 9|.

It will be seen by this construction that the lever 96 and shaft 9| are normally biased to the positions shown in drawings. When the pressure in chamber I 5 is substantially increased over that in chamber I6- in any of the manners previously described, the upward movement of diaphragm I3 causes the counter-weight 98 to be lifted whereupon lever 96 and shaft 9| are rotated in a clockwise direction. When the pressures inchambers I5 and I6 are then subsequently equalized so that diaphragm I3 moves downwardly, the lever 96 and shaft 9| should rotate in counter-clockwise direction under the influence of counter-weight 98. However, it will be noted that the connection between the diaphragm I3 and the lever 96 is a one-Way connection, permitting downward movement of the diaphragm I3 even though the lever 96 or the control device to which the shaft 9| is to be secured should stick or otherwise prevent counter-clockwise rotative movement of lever 96 and shaft 9|.

In Fig. 3, the control mechanism of the present invention is shown applied to a gas-fired heater I00. The inlet 25 of the valve casing 24 is connected to "a gas supply pipe I The outlet 26 thereof is connected to a burner (not shown) located in the heater I00 by a pipe I02. This pipe I02 passes through the usual secondary air housing I03 that is provided with a secondary air damper I04. This secondary air damper I 04 is biased by its weight to open position and is connected to the shaft 9| through the medium of a secondary air damper lever I05 and connecting means I 06. The lead wires 81 for the electromagnetic coil 83 are shown as connected to a conventional room thermostat I01 whereby theenergization and deenergization of electromagnetic coil 83 is controlled by changes in room temperature, the room in turn being heated by the heater I00. A pipe I08 has one of its ends connected to the passage 64 of the control valve casting 56 and its other end may be utilized to conduct the gas exhausted from the chambers I5 and I9 to any desired point of disposal and is herein shown as leading this exhausted gas into the heater I00 where it may be consumed or otherwise disposed of.

The operation of the system of Fig. 3 will be readily apparent from the foregoing description. Briefly, upon a call for heat by the room thermostat I0'I, the electromagnetic coil 83 is energized and lifts valve head 65 into engagement with valve head 66 by means of the plunger I1 and strain relief spring'80. Communication is thereupon established between gas supply pipe IOI and the burner (not shown) and this gas may be ignited in any of the usual manners well known in the art. The consumption of the gas generates heat which restores the temperature of the room in which the room thermostat I0! is located whereupon the electromagnetic coil 83 is deenergized. The valve head 65 therefore returns to theposition shown in the drawing whereupon communication between gas supply pipe I 0| and the burner is interrupted. All of the gas exhausted from the chambers I5 and I6 is led to the heater I 00 by the pipe I 08 for consumption or disposal in any other manner. Opening movement of the main valve is accompanied by downward movement of the air damper lever I05 which allows the secondary air damper I04 to open. Likewise, closing of the main valve should result in closure of the secondary air damper I04 by reason of the counterweight 98. But if the secondary air damper I04 should stick, or if for any other reason the counter-weight 98 is unable to return the secondary' air damper I04 to closed position, it will be evident that such failure of the counter-weight 98 to follow up the downwardly moving diaphragm I3 will not in any manner effect the operation of the main valve.

The provision of the chamber I6 and the connections by which it is continuously exhausted to some desired point provides for the safe disposal of any gas which may flow from the chamber I5 directly to the chamber I6 for any reason and especially in case of rupture of the diaphragm I3.

While only a single specific modification of the invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that this is merely illustrative of one of many forms which'this invention may take and I therefore intend to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a sealed pressure motor means including a movable wall, a valve connected to and operated by said movable wall, a rotatable shaft passing through a wall of said pressure motor, said shaft comprising a conical head located within the chamber with the conical surface thereof facing said aperture, means resiliently urging said conical head into engagement with the edge of said aperture to seal against the escape of fluid while permitting rotation of said shaft, and a lever located within the pressure motor means secured to said shaft and having a portion in the path of movement of said movable wall whereby said shaft will be rotated upon movement of said movable wall in one direction.

2. In combination, lower and upper casings, a diaphragm sealed therebetween to form an upper pressure chamber, a valve casing secured to said lower casing and forming a lower pressure chamber with the lower casing and diaphragm, a valve in said valve casing, connections between said valve and diaphragm so that upon downward movement of said diaphragm, said valve is moved to a closed position and upon upward movement thereof, said valve is moved to open position, an actuating member having a portion pivotally mounted within said upper casing, yieldable means urging said portion of said actuating member into engagement with said diaphragm so that upon upward movement of said diaphragm, said portion of the actuating member is positively moved upwardly and upon downward movement of the diaphragm, said actuating member is moved downwardly only by the action of yieldable means.

3. In combination, a burner, a fuel valve in control of the flow of fuel to the burner, a damper controlling the flow of air to the burner, said damper being biased to an open position, a pressure motor including a movable wall, said fuel valve being located below the movable wall and adapted to close on downward movement of said wall and open on upward movement of the wall, a pivotally mounted damper actuating lever comprising an arm having a portion in the path of movement of said wall, means yieldably urgingsaid portion of said arm into engagement with said wall, connections between said actuating a'rm and said damper so that upon upward movement of said movable wall to open said valve, the positive movement of the actuating arm caused by said upward movement per'mitsthe damper to open and upon downward movement of said movable wall to close the valve,-the movement of the actuating arm caused by said yieldable means normally moves the damper to a closed position.

4. In combination, lower and upper casin 7 members, a diaphragm sealed therebetween to form upper and lower pressure chambers, a valve casing secured to said lower casing, a valve in said valve casing, connections between said valve and diaphragm such that movement of said diaphragm by reason of a change in the pressure differential on opposite sides thereof causes movement of saidvalve between open and closed positions whereby said diaphragm, said valve, and said connections therebetween form a movable assembly; a damper actuating lever pivotally extending through one of said casing members and 

